Traveling to London as a family can feel a bit like a mix between an epic adventure and a logistical puzzle. Between the historical landmarks and busy Tube stations— there’s a lot to take in.
We recently spent a week in London with our kids, and while it was magical, there were definitely some moments that made us say, “Wish we’d known that before!” So to help your trip go a little smoother, here are our top 10 do’s and don’ts for visiting London with kids—based on real-life trial and error.
✅ 1. DO: Use Contactless Payment on the Tube
Important: Make sure your credit card has no foreign transaction fee! This usually involves getting a card with an annual fee, but it is so worth it with travel perks and no added charges on every payment. Our favorite is the Chase Sapphire Card! We pay no foreign transaction fees and earn points on all travel and dining for future adventures! They are now offering a point bonus for now sign-ups!
If you’re used to navigating subways or public transportation, the London Underground is incredibly easy—you can simply use your contactless credit card. Just tap in and out at the barriers, and your fares are automatically capped by the day.
🧒 Bonus Tip: Kids 10 and under ride free with a paying adult on the Tube, buses, and some trains. Just look for the wide gates for families and tap yourself in and then let them follow. For kids over 10, purchase an Oyster Card at the kiosk and ask an attendant to apply a “Young Visitor Discount”.
❌ 2. DON’T: Withdraw Cash from an ATM
We learned this one the hard (and expensive) way. I thought it would be fun to have a little cash as a souvenir and maybe tip a tour guide… and ended up paying a 6% markup at the ATM. Definitely not worth it.
The truth is, we barely needed cash at all. Even small market stalls and food vendors accept contactless payment, and it’s so simple to just tap your card or phone.
💡 Tip: If you really want some pounds in hand, only exchange a small amount—and avoid airport ATMs or dynamic currency conversion (where the machine offers to convert to USD). Just say no and let your card handle it.
✅ 3. DO: Apply for the UK ETA ( Electronic Travel Authorization)
U.S. travelers MUST apply for the ETA before entering the UK. (Click here for more info!) It’s a quick application and you can use the app… but easy to overlook if you’re used to traveling without a visa. Keep this in mind if you’re planning a future trip! There will also be no real confirmation when it’s done. It will connect to your passport, but I advise doing this sooner rather than later. It’s good for 2 years.
❌ 4. DON’T: Count on London Weather Being Predictable
Just to set the scene—we visited in March, so everything I’m sharing is through that lens. We got lucky with very little rain, but we still came prepared with travel umbrellas, rain jackets, and our winter coats. Early in the week, it was hovering around 38°F, and by the end, we were walking around in T-shirts.
Moral of the story? London weather has serious commitment issues.
🧥 Pack smart: Bring layers you can easily add or peel off, a lightweight waterproof jacket, an umbrella (just in case), and comfy shoes—you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
(P.S. I swear by Vionics and wore these shoes for well over 22,000 steps a day. Worth every penny!)
✅ 5. DO: Download the TodayTix App for Theater Deals
Want to see a West End show without spending a fortune? TodayTix is your best friend. We originally planned to see just one show—Wicked (which was absolutely amazing!)—but ended up with a few free evenings and couldn’t resist checking the app for more options.
Thanks to great last-minute deals, we scored tickets to both MJ: The Musical and Back to the Future: The Musical, and they ended up being some of our favorite memories from the trip.
🎭 How to Use TodayTix in London
- Download the TodayTix app (it works in the U.S. and UK).
- Set your location to London to see all available shows.
- Look under “Rush” or “Same-Day” deals for steep discounts on day-of performances.
- Some tickets are digital, while others are picked up at the box office—just follow the app’s instructions.
- Check in the morning or early afternoon for best availability—especially during school breaks or weekends!
💡 Tip: If you’re flexible with dates or seating, you can often snag West End shows for a fraction of the normal price.
❌ 6. DON’T: Assume You Can “Wing It” at Big Attractions
Some of the best free or low-cost attractions book out weeks in advance—even though they’re free!
It’s important to list out the attractions you want to see and check opening hours—they can change seasonally or around bank holidays. Then, reserve in advance to skip the lines and make sure you can get entry.
Even free museums, like the British Museum, offer a reservation system. Book a time slot in advance to plan your day and ensure smooth entry.
✅ 7. DO: Prioritize London’s Free Museums & Parks
One of the best surprises about London? A lot of the best attractions and museums are actually free. This does tie into my point #6, but before your trip, make a list of everything you want to see and compare it with what’s included in the London Pass. For us, it didn’t make sense—we ended up saving money by booking the few paid experiences individually and making advance reservations where needed.
We especially loved the British Museum, National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House, Greenwich Park, and the National Gallery—all completely free and super family-friendly.
Nathan and Josiah discussing the famous Bathers at Asnières painting by Seurat at the National Gallery in London— a free museum, well worth a visit.
✅ 8. DO: Stay in a Family-Friendly Area
We booked an Airbnb in Hammersmith—away from the tourist chaos but still super connected by Tube. It was peaceful, walkable, and had great local grocery stores (a lifesaver when you’re feeding kids abroad!).
This was our exact listing—and I can’t recommend it highly enough. An AirBNB allowed us to do laundry ( huge luggage space-saver) and we found local supermarkets for breakfast items. Eating out in London is expensive so we saved a lot of money by eating breakfast at “home.”
🔍 Look for neighborhoods like South Kensington, Hammersmith, or Notting Hill for charm + convenience.
❌ 9. DON’T: Overload Your Schedule
There’s so much to see and do in London, and yes—we packed a lot in. But we also made a point to leave our evenings open (which is how we lucked into those extra theater tickets!) and intentionally left Wednesday afternoon unplanned so we could go with the flow.
That turned out to be one of the best decisions of the trip.
Jessie and I wandered through some local markets while the boys explored the Churchill War Rooms. We all met up later at Trafalgar Square and ended the day at the National Gallery. Somehow, without a strict itinerary, it became one of our favorite days.
✅ 10. DO: Book a Walking Tour Early in the Trip
We did a family-friendly walking tour on Day 2, and it was the perfect way to get our bearings. Our guide shared fun facts, hidden alleyways, and Harry Potter filming locations—major win with the kids. This was our exact tour and we really enjoyed it!
👟 It also helped us figure out what we wanted to come back and explore more in-depth later.
✨ Final Thoughts
London with kids doesn’t have to be overwhelming and this turned out to be one of our favorite family vacations.
Got questions about your upcoming London trip? Drop them in the comments or DM me on Instagram—I love helping other families plan unforgettable getaways.
